Practical Magic is a 1998 film directed by Griffin Dunne and starring Sandra Bullock and Nicole Kidman as witch sisters. The movie has gained a cult following over the years, largely due to its enchanting blend of romance, comedy, and fantasy. One aspect that adds to the magical atmosphere is the film's theme music. The theme music for Practical Magic was composed by Alan Silvestri, a renowned composer known for his work on films like Back to the Future and Forrest Gump. Silvestri's score perfectly captures the ethereal and mystical essence of the story, whisking viewers away into a world of spells and potions. The main theme is characterized by a haunting melody played on a piano, accompanied by strings and delicate chimes.
Next up is (alpha) And, shorthand for the brightest star in the constellation Andromeda. I loved this blue-gray color that changes from blue to blue-gray as it dries, almost as if the gray is rising to the surface. In most writing, there was no shading. The color reminded me of Ferris Wheel Press Blue Cotton Candy but And is dark enough that it is legible afterward.
ColorVerse alpha UMa I got the name incorrect on my swatch card is the second brightest star in Ursa Major the Great Bear, or Big Dipper a portion of Ursa Major. ColorVerse alpha UMa I got the name incorrect on my swatch card is the second brightest star in Ursa Major the Great Bear, or Big Dipper a portion of Ursa Major.
The main theme is characterized by a haunting melody played on a piano, accompanied by strings and delicate chimes. This combination creates a mesmerizing and enchanting sound that immediately draws listeners into the enchanting world of the film. The melody is both melancholic and uplifting, reflecting the duality of the characters' lives and the magic they possess.
Ink Line Review: ColorVerse Project Series 2 Part 1
The ink world has given us a tremendous number of new inks recently, making it difficult to keep up with them all! Today I’m showing 4 of the 8 new inks in the ColorVerse Project – Constellation series. Each ink in this series is named for the brightest star (alpha) in various constellations.
ColorVerse Project inks come in a 65mL single bottle – the same size as the larger bottle in their ink sets – for $27.50. I purchased these inks from Vanness where they sell for $3.10 for a 4mL sample.
The first Constellation ink today is (alpha) Boo – the shorthand for the brightest star in the constellation Bootes. This is a pale dusty pink similar to Pilot Iroshizuku Kosumosu. I saw good shading with this ink and it was dark enough to be read on any paper.
Next up is (alpha) And, shorthand for the brightest star in the constellation Andromeda. I loved this blue-gray color that changes from blue to blue-gray as it dries, almost as if the gray is rising to the surface. In most writing, there was no shading. The color reminded me of Ferris Wheel Press Blue Cotton Candy but And is dark enough that it is legible afterward.
ColorVerse (alpha) UMa (I got the name incorrect on my swatch card) is the second brightest star in Ursa Major – the Great Bear, or Big Dipper (a portion of Ursa Major). It is one of the two stars that point towards Polaris, the North Star.
UMa is another fascinating ink where the gray seems to rise to the surface in the swatch. However, UMa starts out as almost a pale burgundy or rose color. As the ink dries, the red disappears and gray becomes the overall color. In the swatch below, there was a tiny touch of feathering at the bottom of the M, although this happened because I darkened the lines later since my dip nib ran out of ink at that moment. I never had any other feathering issues with the Project series.
The final ink today is (alpha) Ori is shorthand for Betelgeuse, a bright star in the Orion constellation. This is a bright reddish-orange ink with a touch of gold sheen. As you can see on the swatch card below, the ink did smear slightly. This occurred after the ink had dried.
Below are small swatches of all 8 Constellation inks on Tomoe River paper (top) and Cosmo Air Light paper (bottom). I love having both paper types available when testing ink – each paper brings out different qualities every time.
I have been quite impressed by all inks in the ColorVerse Project series, both the first and now the second. This series contains beautiful colors that behave well and the cost is reasonable at $0.42 per mL. UMa is one on my wish list for future purchase!
DISCLAIMER: The items included in this review were purchased by me and I was not compensated to write this review. Please see the About page for more details.
ColorVerse Project inks come in a 65mL single bottle – the same size as the larger bottle in their ink sets – for $27.50. I purchased these inks from Vanness where they sell for $3.10 for a 4mL sample.
Throughout the film, the theme music is used in various scenes to enhance the emotional impact and reinforce the magical atmosphere. It is often played during pivotal moments of spellcasting or during moments of heightened emotion. Its presence serves to further immerse the audience in the story and connect them with the characters' experiences. The Practical Magic theme music has resonated with fans of the film and has become an iconic piece of movie music. Its haunting melody and enchanting instrumentation evoke a sense of wonder and mystery, perfectly complementing the themes of love, family, and witchcraft presented in the film. In conclusion, the theme music for Practical Magic is a vital component of the film's overall magical atmosphere. Composed by Alan Silvestri, the music captures the enchanting essence of the story and helps transport viewers to a world of spells and potions. Its haunting melody and ethereal instrumentation make it a memorable and iconic piece of movie music..
Reviews for "The mesmerizing power of the practical magic soundtrack"
1. Emily - 1/5
I found the theme music for "Practical Magic" to be incredibly annoying and distracting. The repetitive melody felt like nails on a chalkboard, and it completely took away from the viewing experience. I couldn't focus on the plot or the characters because all I could hear was that grating tune playing over and over again. Overall, the music ruined what could have been an enjoyable movie for me.
2. Jason - 2/5
I wasn't a fan of the theme music in "Practical Magic". It didn't feel cohesive or fitting with the overall tone of the film. The jarring mixture of different genres and styles left me feeling confused and disconnected from the story. It was as if the composer couldn't decide what type of music to create, resulting in an awkward and disjointed soundtrack. I think the film would have benefited from a more consistent and harmonious musical score.
3. Sarah - 2/5
The theme music in "Practical Magic" was forgettable and unremarkable. It didn't add any depth or emotion to the movie and felt like an afterthought rather than a carefully crafted composition. The lack of memorable melodies or impactful moments made the soundtrack easily fade into the background, leaving me questioning its purpose. Overall, I was disappointed with the choice of music and found it to be lackluster and uninspiring.
4. Michael - 1/5
I found the theme music in "Practical Magic" to be excessively cheesy and cliché. The overuse of old-fashioned mystical elements in the music was tiring and made the film seem overly gimmicky. It lacked originality and felt like a recycled version of every other witch-themed movie soundtrack. I was hoping for something more innovative and modern that could have added a fresh perspective to the story. Sadly, the theme music fell short of my expectations.